Finding Hope in God

in life they may come times that we ask ourselves, can God take care of the situation of our lives, We may be too disturbed to even put our mind into reading the word, never be dismayed, just go out and look around nature, Has God taken care of it today, so why worry You are no exception he is for your Good.

God holds in his and the wonders of the world and just in case it is hard for you to find them in a city, then check out this wonderful relaxing music, and try to see God his loving Grace and his outstretched hand stretching out to his creation and rest assured He is with you,

you might Go, through things in life, but he will be with you, and he will make you strong, like magic,

The Goodness Of God

"The Lord is GOOD, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him." (Nahum 1:7)

Human Beings are born sinners and some try to become good. Some work hard at being good. It is not so with God. Goodness comes natural to God. He is good. He does not have to work at it.
God's goodness is made visible in what He does for His people. In the passage above the goodness of the Lord is noted for His protecting His people and knowing those who trust Him. God's goodness is not just a theological fact but it is something that can be personally experienced.
Most people including sinners believe that God is good.
God is too good to send people to hell. He demonstrates His goodness by sending His only begotten Son to die on the cross (John 3:5-18; Rom. 5:6-8). Out of His goodness He gives each man the choice to either accept or reject His Son. After all, He is too good to force a decision on anyone.
Unfortunately, many reject the provision that Jesus Christ made on the cross for us and sends themselves to hell (John 3:18). Unfortunately, these people never experience God's goodness even though it is made available to them.
The Bible shows us that it is the goodness of God that leads one to repentance:

"Or dispiseth thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance." (Rom. 2:4)

Most people turn to God, not because of fear of punishment, but because they find out that He is the only solution to their problems.
There are some in the Body of Christ who seem to think that once they are in the kingdom God for some reason withdraws His goodness. They seem to think He puts them through tragedy, sickness, pain, poverty, temptations, and a multitude of trials to either chasten them or strengthen them. Such thinking comes from the EVIL one - Satan.
God's goodness is bestowed on every sinner by giving them a provision for their sin through Jesus Christ. Once we have come into the kingdom of God He does not give us less of His goodness. He bestows upon us even more. He actually stores up goodness for His people:

"How great is your GOODNESS! You have stored it up for those who fear you. You do GOOD THINGS for those who TRUST you. You do this for all to see." (Ps. 31:19; The Everyday Bible).

We repeat here that God's goodness is not just a theological fact. It is something that is to be experienced. It is demonstrated by what He DOES for those who trust Him. The requirement is that you must TRUST Him. If you have not been experiencing the goodness of God in your life then this may be an area that certainly needs your attention.
The reason for these lessons is to build your trust and confidence in God concerning His goodness. Many people are not experiencing God's goodness for lack of trust. There are various reasons why they do not trust God, but all of these reasons arise from the pit of hell and must be dealt with.
If you are not experiencing the goodness of God it is not because He has run out of it, withdrawn it, or is holding it back. He has it stored up for you. It is up to each individual to appropriate it for themselves.

The main reason many do not experience God's goodness is because they have no real revelation of it. They have sat in church and heard people say that God is good. Yet, in the same church they will hear that God allows sickness, pain, and misery to come into our lives to prepare us for glory. They will hear that God took their little baby or their little child because He wanted a little flower in heaven.
People hear such nonsense in the church and wonder how could God truly be good. Everything that they hear about God in religious circles contradicts what their understanding of good is. We attach religious explanations to it such as "God works in mysterious ways" or "God knows what is best for us."
If preachers would preach the Bible more often and Christians would learn to study the Bible for themselves instead of taking the word of the preacher or their denominational creed then most of us would begin to have a better conception of God's goodness.



In Psalms 107, we are told to give praise to God for His goodness. The Psalm tells of several acts performed by God that demonstrates His goodness towards men. Psalm 107:1 starts off like this:

"O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good: for his mercy endureth forever."

Then it goes on to talk about God's redemption of His people and His acts of deliverance in trouble. Then verses 8 and 9 go on to say this:

"Oh that men would praise the Lord for his GOODNESS, and his wonderful works to the children of men. For he satisfieth the hungry soul with goodness."

This statement is made four times in this Psalm. It speaks of God's goodness in His delivering people from bondage, healing, protection, and provision.
In verse one the Psalmist tells us that God is good. In verse eight, fifteen, twenty-one, and thirty-one, we are told about His goodness. God is able to extend His goodness towards the children of men because He IS good. A person always acts according to their nature. God is naturally good and His purpose for creating man was to have someone to demonstrate His goodness too.
The Bible tells us of the goodness of God. Religion has a totally different concept of God's goodness than the Bible. Psalm 107 goes into detail about exactly what His goodness is and how it is demonstrated. The last verse in this Psalm tells us:

"Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord." (Ps. 107:43)

It would be wise to observe what the BIBLE says about God's goodness and not what tradition and religion has said. The reason many do not understand the lovingkindness of God is because they have not observed His acts of goodness towards the children of men. They know that God is supposed to be loving and kind, but few can ever truly say that they consistently experience it. God does not want us to have a theological knowledge of Him. He wants us to EXPERIENCE Him.

The Word of God is written for our benefit. It is written to give us revelation and insight into God's true nature and dealings with men. Its primary purpose is to build our faith in God and not to run us away from Him. Religion and tradition have run many people away from God, but the truth of God's Word has broken bondages and has drawn people TO the true and living God.

If you desire to experience God's goodness in your life you will have to search out, mediate upon, and claim His promises. The Bible tells us that God's promises are good:

"Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant." (1 Kings 8:56)

"Not one of all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every every one was fulfilled." (Josh. 21:45; NIV).You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed." (Josh. 23:14; NIV).

God's promises do not fail because God Himself will not fail. If there is any failure in receiving any of God's promises then the failure is on our part, not God's. God does not go back on His promises. He is good so naturally His Word is good:

"God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it GOOD?" (Num. 23:19)



There was a time when a man's word was his bond. Nowadays, people will make and break promises without thinking twice about it. "Promises are made to be broken." I have heard some say. This is MAN'S philosophy. This did not originate from God.
That is why God tells us not to compare Him to a man. "He is not a man that He should lie." Lying comes natural to man. God will never do that. If He has spoken a promise He will make it good because He is good. He will do what He said He would do.
Whenever you find a promise from God it should strengthen your faith. It should give you the confidence to know that whatever God says will come to pass in your own personal life.
Yet Satan has fed the church several lies that hinder God's people from claiming and receiving all that He has made available to them. These lies have been taught from the pulpits of many churches. Satan is never more dangerous than when he is able to get into the pulpit. It is there that he is able to do his greatest damage to the church.
In order to restore faith in the TRUTH concerning God's goodness we must find out what God's Word says. God's Word is truth (John 17:17) and Satan is a liar (John 8:44). Anything that contradicts God's Word comes from the pit of hell and is to be discarded as such.
These errors keep God's people in bondage and keep them from experiencing the fullness of God's goodness that has been stored up for them. It is the truth of God's Word that will make us completely free (John 8:31-32).
Things can be stored up for a long time and never be claimed. It is not the fault of God since He has made it available to us. It is our fault for not knowing the truth about what belongs to us when knowledge is made available to us.

HOPE IN THE MIDST OF YOUR BATTLES

Psalm 27:1-6

As I read the words of this psalm, I see the imagery of battle being portrayed in these verses. Words like “enemies” and “foes” in verse 2; “host” in verse 3; “war” in verse 3; and “enemies” in verse 6 all speak of warfare. Phrase like “though an host encamp against me”, verse 3; and “though war should rise against me”, verse 3 speak of a battle being waged against David. It appears that he is in a difficult situation. Yet, it is also very clear from reading these verses that even in the midst of the battles he is fighting, David still has hope.

The Bible teaches us a vastly different definition of hope. Listen to the words of Jeremiah, “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is,” Jer. 17:7. Hear also Paul, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity,” 1 Cor. 13:13. The world says that hope is merely a fond wish or desire. But, the words used for hope in the Bible tell a different story. They teach us that hope is “A deep settled confidence that God will keep His promises!”

Now, I know you have battles; but do you have hope? Are you resting in the sure confidence that God will do just as He has promised He would? That is the essence of hope and hope is a possession we all need to be sure we own in large quantities. I want to look into these verses for a while today and I want to tell about Hope In The Midst Of Your Battles. I want to show you, from the words of David, why you and I have a reason to hope in the Lord

OUR CONFIDENCE IN THE LORD PROVIDES HOPE
David tells us that God is his “light”, his “salvation” and his “strength.” There is a tremendous blessing in these three titles attributed to our God.
1. As Light, God delivers His people from Darkness – “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:,” Colossians 1:13. As Light God guides our Steps – (Psa. 37:23; John 16:13; Psa. 119:105)
2. As Salvation God delivers His people from Damnation – “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life,” John 5:24. As Salvation God secures our Souls – (John 10:28; 1 Pet. 1:5; John 6:37)
3. As Strength God delivers His people from Defeat – “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ,” 1 Cor. 15:57. As Strength God guarantees our Success – (Rom. 8:37; 2 Cor. 2:14; Isa. 54:17)

Confidence In The Performance Of The Lord – David declares that his present hope in the Lord rests upon that which the Lord has done for him in the past. God did not fail him then, and He will not fail His child today.
That same confidence is ours today! The God we serve is unchangeable, Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8. He is the same God with the same power that He has always been. He has never, and He will never change. Because He has been faithful in the past, we can count on His being faithful now.
(Ill. Think of all the things He has done; the victories He has won; the enemies He has vanquished; the mountains He has moved; the victories He has won. Think on these things and remember that the God who performed countless wonders in the past is still that same God today! That should give His people hope!)



OUR COMMITMENT TO THE LORD PROVIDES HOPE

He Is Committed To Lingering Near The Lord – David wants to spend his entire life in the house of the Lord. He wants to be in that place where the Lord dwells and where the Lord’s presence is real. This is a theme David repeated in Psalm 84:1-4. There, David envies the little birds that make their nests around the tabernacle. They can be near the house of God all the time, while David cannot. He has a desire to be where God is; to be in that place where God is worshiped and honored. That is his heartbeat.
That ought to be our desire as well. We need that same passion to be where the Lord is honored and where He is worshiped. Of course, we have the church and we are commanded to be in attendance, Heb. 10:25. But, I think there ought to be a desire to find that place of closeness and intimacy with the Lord. We can have that place where we can linger in His presence all the days of our lives.
If there is a genuine desire to be near Him, it will manifest itself in clear action. Those who want to linger near the Lord will find a way. And, when we make a move toward Him, He will make a move toward us, James 4:8.

He Is Committed To Loving The Lord – David wants to “behold the beauty of the Lord.” That is, he wants to “seek His face.” You see, not only is David committed to being where the Lord is; but he is also committed to worshiping the Lord. That is a worthy goal for life!
This should be the goal of every believer as well. If we are going to worship the Lord, we are going to have to do it His way. Jesus told us how to worship in John 4:24. As we yield to the Spirit of God and worship God for Who He is as He is revealed in the Word of God, we will be engaged in the business of loving Him. How long has it been since you just loved on the Lord?

He Is Committed To Leaning On The Lord – David also expresses his desire to call upon the Lord; to commune with God; and to make requests of God. This is another image of worship. David here declares his utter dependence upon the Lord for the necessities of life. David looks beyond his own abilities and sees the limitless provisions of the Lord. Therefore, he wants nothing more than to be able to call upon the Lord
My, what a limitless resource we have been given in prayer! We are invited to pray, Jer. 33:3; Matt. 11:28. We are promised that God will hear and answer our prayers, Isa. 65:24; John 14:13-14; John 16:23-24. Therefore, let us also learn to lean upon Him! Instead of worry and fear, let us learn to turn to the Lord. He will see to our needs, Phil. 4:6-7; 19. He will never fail us nor will He ever turn us away empty-handed, Matt. 7:7-11.


OUR COMFORT IN THE LORD PROVIDES HOPE

God Has A Sheltered Place For Us – David tells us that the Lord will hide him in His pavilion. A king’s pavilion was a tent that erected in the middle of the army’s encampment. The tent was then surrounded by an army of brave soldiers. With all the host of the army camped about, the king’s pavilion was the safest place on the battlefield. Those who were fortunate enough to be allowed to enter the king’s pavilion were protected by the soldiers and entertained by the king during the battle! (Note: The word “hide” means “to treasure away.”)
As the battles of life rage about us, we are safely tucked away in our King’s pavilion. The Bible tells us that “your life is hid with Christ in God”, Col. 3:3! Could there be a safer place in all the universe? Of course not! Those who have entered His pavilion are protected by Him and, even while the battles rage around them, they are entertained with the peace and joy of the King Himself. This is promise to those who will abide in that close place! No enemy can penetrate the defenses and enter this private place. It is protected from the enemy!
The assurance of His sheltering place allows us to weather the storms of life with hope. This was what allowed David to face Goliath. This was the confidence that kept Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. This was the assurance that gripped the heart of Daniel! This was the knowledge that allowed Paul to continue, even when he suffered greatly, 2 Cor. 12:7-11.

God Has A Secret Place For Us – The word “tabernacle” brings to mind the place of worship. The “secret” refers to the “holy of holies”. That place which was off limits to all but the High Priest, and he could only enter there one day per year, and the only with the blood of an innocent sacrifice. It was a place that other men entered under the penalty of death.
Yet, it is that secret place, to which God takes His precious friends. The Holy of Holies was a place where the very presence of God dwelt and the glory of God could be seen. It was there that God took David during the battles of his life. It was there David found himself shut up with God and shut off from the world around him.
In a king’s home, this place referred to the private apartment of the king. It was a place no one could enter unless they did so at his bidding. To do otherwise invited instant death. (Note: The word “hide” means “to conceal”.)
It is amazing that there is a place of solitude in a world filled with people. There is a place that you and I can flee to during the crushing battles that rage about us. A place that affords us quiet, peace and the profound presence of God. Those who have learned to abide in Him have been to that place and know the glory of it. It is a place where the enemy dares not follow. It is a place reserved for those who love the Lord their God. Have you ever been to that place? That place where God meets with you and you alone. That place where all else falls away and you are left with Him and Him alone? That is the place He invites those who abide to enter!
Stephen was in that place at the moment of his death, Acts 7:55-56! Paul was in that place during his life, 2 Cor. 12:1-4; Acts 27:23. It is possible for us to enter that sacred, secret place where the world dims away and God becomes larger than everything else!



God Has A Secure Place For Us – David has the assurance that even when life threatens to overflow him, the Lord will set him on a rock, a place that is unchangeable, powerful and immovable. Of course, this Rock he refers to is none other than the Lord Himself, Psa. 40:1-2. The rock referred to in these verses is a “great craggy rock”. It is a rock that juts far above the battles going on at its feet. It allows those who ride its heights to rise far above the tumult beneath!

This is the gift to all those who know Him! We are promised that we have a place of refuge that will lift us far above the stormy seas that would threaten to drown us. Like the eagle, who takes refuge above the storm until it has passed; those who abide in Him are given grace that bears them higher than the storms and keeps them safe until danger has passed, Isa. 40:31. Those who wish to rise above there circumstances are given wings to do so!

Notice the passive nature of all the things mentioned in verse 5. All of these things David mentions are not things he does to himself; but they are things done to him by the Lord. The believer is required to do nothing but be in a close relationship to the Lord. These things are done by the Lord for His child.

God Has A Special Place For Us – David says that he will worship the Lord; he will praise the Lord; because of the things the Lord has done for him. Because the Lord has lifted him above the battles; because the Lord has hidden him away in the secret place; because the Lord sheltered him away from the terrors of the battles; he will praise His name!
What a lesson to us! When hope has turned to reality in our lives; when the Lord has come through for us again and delivered us from the enemy; we should be quick to praise Him and offer to Him the worship and adoration He deserves. When He brings us through our battles, He will put us in a special place from which we can exalt His lovely Name, Heb. 13:15!
Are you fighting some battles today? Of course you are! But, in the midst of your battles, do you have hope? Do you have the deep settled confidence that everything is going to be alright? If you do praise the Lord, for He has already brought to that special place of blessing from which you can offer praise to His name.
But, if you lack that hope this evening, it can be obtained. How? You can do this by Reaffirming your Confidence in the Lord; by Renewing your Commitment to the Lord; and by Resting in your Comfort in the Lord. Do you need to talk to Him about your battles and about your hope? If you do, this altar is a good place to take care of that business!

Hope in Christ

"...And now, Lord, what do I wait for and expect? My hope and expectation are in You..." - Psalm 39: 7

Our hope and expectation should only be in the Lord. He is the only one in this world that is stable and sure. Everything else is on shaky ground. It’s sometimes hard to have hope, while everything around us seems to crumble, or is uncertain. The Lord is our pillar. He is our fortress. He cannot be shaken, and can be trusted completely.

If you’ve lost hope in this world, hope in Jesus. He won’t let you down.

When hope is placed in Jesus Christ
We have more meaning to our lives

Hope in Christ

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ..." 1 Peter 1:3-7
"Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God..." Ephesians 2:19

Hope in His Victory
"...in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39
"...rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality." Romans 12:12
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:1-5
"...according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:19-21
"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:4
"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus...." Hebrews 6:19
"Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation." 2 Corinthians 1:6-7
"... we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." 2 Chronicles 20:12
Hope in His sufficiency
"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Romans 8:26
"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. "He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
“My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense; I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength and my refuge, is in God.
Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us." Psalm 62:5-8

"... we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons....” 2 Corinthians 1:8-11
Hope in His Righteousness
"For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith." Galatians 5:5
"And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel...." Colossians 1:21-23
“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:3
“He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:10-12
"The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,
And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”
From that time Jesus began to preach and to say,
'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:16-17

"...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come." Ephesians 1:17-21

Hope in Eternity with Jesus
"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body...." Philippians 3:20-21
"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
"Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." 1 John 3:1-3
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment [as seen from God's eternity], is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance." Romans 8:19-25
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people...." Titus 2:11-14
"... as it is written: 'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.' But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit." 1 Corinthians 2:9
“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known." 1 Corinthians 13:12
"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
Looking forward to the glory and joy ahead



hope in the LOrd

(Psalms 16:8-9 NKJV) I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. {9} Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.

(Psalms 31:24 NKJV) Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.

(Psalms 33:18-19 NKJV) Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, {19} To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.

(Psalms 33:21-22 NKJV) For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name. {22} Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You.

(Psalms 42:5 NKJV) Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.

(Psalms 42:11 NKJV) Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

(Psalms 119:81 NKJV) My soul faints for Your salvation, But I hope in Your word.

(Psalms 119:114 NKJV) You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.

(Psalms 130:4-7 NKJV) But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. {5} I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. {6} My soul waits for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning; Yes, more than those who watch for the morning. {7} O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is mercy, And with Him is abundant redemption.

(Psalms 146:5-9 NKJV) Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God, {6} Who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever, {7} Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners. {8} The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous. {9} The LORD watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.

(Psalms 147:11 NKJV) The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.

(Ecclesiastes 9:4 NKJV) But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.

(Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV) "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. {8} For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

(Jeremiah 31:16-17 NKJV) Thus says the LORD: "Refrain your voice from weeping, And your eyes from tears; For your work shall be rewarded, says the LORD, And they shall come back from the land of the enemy. {17} There is hope in your future, says the LORD, That your children shall come back to their own border.

(Lamentations 3:21-26 NKJV) This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. {22} Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. {23} They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. {24} "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!" {25} The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. {26} It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the LORD.

(Acts 2:25-28 NKJV) "For David says concerning Him: 'I foresaw the LORD always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. {26} Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. {27} For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. {28} You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.'

(Acts 24:15-16 NKJV) "I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. {16} "This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

(Romans 5:1-8 NKJV) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, {2} through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. {3} And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; {4} and perseverance, character; and character, hope. {5} Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. {6} For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. {7} For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. {8} But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

(Romans 8:24-26 NKJV) For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? {25} But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. {26} Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

(Romans 15:4 NKJV) For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

(Romans 15:13 NKJV) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

(1 Corinthians 13:12-13 NKJV) For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. {13} And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

(Galatians 5:5 NKJV) For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

(Ephesians 1:17-21 NKJV) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, {18} the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, {19} and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power {20} which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, {21} far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

(Colossians 1:27 NKJV) To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

(1 Thessalonians 5:8-9 NKJV) But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. {9} For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

(2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NKJV) Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, {17} comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

(Hebrews 6:18-20 NKJV) that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. {19} This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, {20} where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

(1 Peter 1:13 NKJV) Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

(1 Peter 1:21 NKJV) who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

(1 Peter 3:15-17 NKJV) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; {16} having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. {17} For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

(1 John 3:2-3 NKJV) Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. {3} And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear

Fear of other people and things and events around us is something we often have to
come to grips with. No one likes to live in fear, but the sad reality is that most of us at times feel fearful. As God began working with Abraham, the man the Bible calls "the father of all those who believe" (Romans 4:11), God told him, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward" (Genesis 15:1). "Fear not," the King James Version says.

What a wonderful concept for us to understand as we come to God! He wants us to respect Him, but He does not want us to be frightened of anything. A simple saying encapsulates this truth: Know God, no fear. Its corollary expresses the opposite effect: No God, know fear.

King David had his ups and downs. On several occasions he fled to avoid being killed. Though his enemies often sought his life, David found a remedy for his fears.

In Psalm 27:1-3, he wrote: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident."

David found great peace in trusting God to take care of him. In verse 5 of the same psalm, David continued: "For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock." In his own meditations, David could envision God hiding him in a secret place in His house or setting him high on a rock so his enemies could not reach him.

Small children often seek out secret hiding places so they can escape perceived troubles. As God's children, even we adults should realize we have a hiding place with God, where we can be cared for and comforted.

God's Holy Spirit performs this comforting function for us. It drives away our fears. David knew his faith in God sustained him through his difficult times. He said, "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living" (verse 13).

In taking this refuge from fear, David knew the importance of coming before God with a pure mind. That is why he asked God to create in him a clean heart and renew a right spirit within him. David realized God could take His Spirit from him if he did not approach God in this attitude (Psalm 51:10, 11). When David was able to maintain this proper outlook, he could pray to God with the confidence that God would save him (Psalm 55:16-18).

Paul enumerated for the Christians at Rome these same principles: "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit [itself] testifies with our spirit that we are God's children" (Romans 8:15-16, New International Version).

One of God's gifts that He imparts to us through His Spirit is freedom from fear. As Paul said in verse 31, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"